In a rare interview, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has tried to downplay the command responsibility he has had over the Syrian army, who have been accused of gross violations of human rights.

Speaking with American broadcaster ABC, Assad claimed that the troops belonged to the “government” saying,

"They are not my forces. They are military forces belonging to the government. I don't own them. I'm president. I don't own the country. So they are not my forces."

Assad also commented that any claims of human rights abuses were by "individuals" stating,

“There was no command to kill or to be brutal”

"Every 'brute reaction' was by an individual, not by an institution, that's what you have to know."

"There is a difference between having a policy to crack down and between having some mistakes committed by some officials. There is a big difference."

His statements were dismissed by State Department spokesman Mark Toner who called the claims "ludicrous" and said that the Syrian president is,

"attempting to hide behind a sort of shell game and claim he does not exercise authority in his own country."

"He has had opportunities in the past to end the violence."

Jay Carney, White House spokesman, reiterated the view, saying,

"The United States and many, many other nations around the world who have come together to condemn the atrocious violence in Syria perpetrated by the Assad regime know exactly what's happening and who is responsible."

President Assad went on to dismiss the UN’s estimated 4,000 death toll, saying,

"Who said that the United Nations is a credible institution?"

"We don't kill our people... no government in the world kills its people, unless it's led by a crazy person."